Policies

Policies

Health guidelines

Regular physical activity is fun and healthy, and is safe for most people. If you are planning to be more active than you are now, and are aged 15-69, start by answering the questions below. If you are over 69, check with your doctor first. 
  1. Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?
  2. Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?
  3. In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
  4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness?
  5. Do you have a bone of joint problem (for example, back, knee or hip) that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?
  6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood pressure or heart condition?
  7. Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity? 
If you answered no to all questions - then you can be reasonably sure that you can start becoming more active, but begin slowly and build up gradually. 
  • Consider undertaking a fitness appraisal to determine your basic fitness so that you can plan the best way for you to live actively.
  • Having your blood pressure evaluated before you become more active is highly recommended.
  • BUT, delay becoming more active if you have a temporary illness such as a cold or fever. Or, if you are or may be pregnant, talk to your doctor before you become more active. 

If you answered yes to one or more questions: Talk with your doctor BEFORE you start becoming much more physically active or BEFORE you have a fitness appraisal. Tell your doctor about this questionnaire and which questions you answered YES to.

You may still be able to do any activity you want – as long as you start slowly and build up gradually. Or, you may need to restrict your activities based on medical advice. 

Swimming Pool

Please visit our Swimming Information page for more information about our policies.

Gym

You must be over 14 years old to use the gym and all customers using the gym for the first time must have an induction and complete a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire. Please visit our Gym page for more information about our gym policies. Dolphin Centre Gym 

Dolphin Centre Soft Play (Under the Sea)

Casual Soft Play

Suitable for children up to the age of 10. To access our casual soft play area, all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged over 16 years old.

Cameras and Mobile Phones

Customers wishing to use such equipment within the Centre must first gain permission from the Centre Management. We ask that all electronic devices are not used on poolside.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-social behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated towards customers or members of our team. Please note that CCTV operates within the Centre.

Booking Procedures

Our booking and cancellation procedures can be found on our prices page.

Dolphin Centre Card

You may be eligible for concessions on activities.  Please visit our Dolphin Centre Card Page.

Code of Service

Cultural Services Code of Service is the standard we expect all our staff to deliver when dealing with all customers. Our customers are anyone we come into contact with whilst at work. 

Environmental Information

Climate change is the most pressing challenge facing the planet today. In 2006. Darlington Borough Council demonstrated its commitment to tackling climate change by signing the Nottingham Declaration. By working with the Carbon Trust through the Carbon Management Programme, the Council has been able to calculate the ‘carbon footprint’ of its operations.

A challenging target of reducing our carbon emissions by 25% over the next 5 years has been set.  This Carbon Management Plan focuses on the practical actions and changes to be undertaken to reduce the carbon footprint of the Council, but it is also recognition of the Council’s responsibility to lead by example. Carbon management is important to the Council as it represents the opportunity to tackle climate change and make cost savings through improved efficiencies which improve value for money for the Borough’s residents.

Green Transport

Travel is an essential part of modern life. Whether you’re commuting to work or school, enjoying trips out with family, visiting friends or picking up a weekly shop, there are a range of travel choices available to you. 

Saving Energy

We are committed to saving energy:

  1. We use pool covers on two of our pools
  2. LED lighting in our Pool Complex
  3. Passive Infrared Motion Sensors (PIR sensors) are used within a lot of our corridors, changing rooms and management offices.  Part of our future plans is to get these in all circulation areas
  4. We 100% recycle all our paper, glass and cooking oil.  All other waste is put in a compactor, which gets broken down and recycled at the Darlington recycling site
  5. Push buttons operate in all of our showers and on our taps, saving water
  6. We encourage customers to be more green by accessing information on this website, rather than distributing an excess of leaflets
  7. Our pool plant has been upgraded (August 2015-May 2016).  This included installing new lighting and tiles, improvement to the ventilation in this area and the replacement of the waterproof membrane.